LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday sought a reply from the federal law ministry on a petition questioning a debate in the Senate to amend blasphemy law initiated, as per the petition, by PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar.

A lawyer, Nadeem Siddiqi, contended in his petition that Babar gave a statement in the Senate during a debate for amendment to the blasphemy law. He pleaded that under the Constitution, the parliament could not make a law contrary to Islamic principles.

He alleged that initiating debate on blasphemy law was a conspiracy, asking the court to stop the Senate from holding any debate to amend the blasphemy law.

Justice Shujaat Ali Khan sought a reply from the ministry within two weeks and also issued a notice to Senator Farhatullah Babar.

Published in Dawn January 24th, 2017